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A Buyer's Guide to Project Management Solutions
Project Management Software Buyer’s Guide
The Project Management software industry is on the rise. Estimated to be around $10B worth today, the global demand for Project Management solutions has been rapidly increasing over the last ten years. In the Middle East and China alone, hundreds of thousands of project managers have been trained to handle large and complex projects. Project Management (PM) has truly gone beyond the boundaries of the traditional planning, organizing and managing of resources. In almost any kind of business, small or large projects, local or international scale, project management software redefined the approach in handling project during its entire life cycle – conception, definition, execution, and operation.
Today, companies have a wide array of PM solutions to choose from. But such scenario should not confuse project managers from selecting the right software for their projects because there are sure and smart ways in doing it. And through this Buyer’s Guide, we at ITQlick.com are encouraging you and your Project Management Office (PMO) to strengthen more your knowledge in selecting and implementing the right PM solution for your organization.
Types
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Gantt Charts, and Matrix Management are critical tools in managing projects. These methodologies cannot be taken out from a manager’s list of options in completing his every project. Project management software helps managers by integrating these methods into one solution. These are the types of PM solutions where managers can fully benefit from when using those methods.
Desktop or Client-server
Desktop package project management software allows multiple users to share file-based project plans or data on a central database.
Web-based or online
Connect to the worldwide web, launch the web application and you can now convert data into reports. SaaS is a powerful web-based computing platform.
Single-user
For small company with two or three project managers, a single-user type of project management software is sufficient enough to promote collaboration relevant to project planning.
Collaborative
For large companies that are managing complex projects, collaborative type software is the right solution. It is project management software with web-based and desktop features. Synchronization and configuration are among of the unique features of collaborative type software.
Integrated or Enterprise
On this type of software, project management system is integrated with other management information system within the company. It can be an ERP system where project management is one of the core modules.
Features
Multi-disciplinary body of knowledge like project management requires intensive training, practice, and continuous learning on part of the personnel who wants to be in this profession. This is also true when selecting project management solution. From fundamentals to high-level features, a PM solution’s buyer must be rigorous in knowing and understanding the capabilities of the solution that he is going to implement in his organization.
Here are the features to look for in Enterprise Solutions:
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Collaboration on Projects with Clients and Staff
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Multi User Log-ins
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Project Categorization
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File Sharing via a Centralized File Repository
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Project Based Discussion Forum
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Project Ownership
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Delegate Project Tasks to Users
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Automatic E-mail Notification
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Project Target Dates, Hours, Days and Budgets
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Dependent Project Tasks
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Milestones
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Custom Project Management Web Address
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Gantt Charts
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Calendar
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Client/Company Management
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Contact List
Here are the features that should be checked in Web-based Solutions:
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Basic PM Tools
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Advance PM Tools
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Resource management
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Team Collaboration
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Client Collaboration
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Ease of Use
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Integration and Professional Services
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Security
Solutions per Business Size, per Vendor
The A-Z list of project management software in the market is always available for review and analysis. We at ITQlick.com want to narrow down your search for the right solution by providing you the filtered lists. To begin with, these are five of the most popular project management vendors today.
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Oracle
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Microsoft
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CA technologies
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Planview
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HP
As a standard procedure of most vendors, they will assess your business size and needs and then recommend a solution that they believe will work. But if you’re a DIY kind of manager, searching will be easier if you have basic guidelines to follow. If you’re looking for low-cost solutions, then go for the single-user type. If you’re a small business, then you can choose the collaborative type. If you are in large businesses like construction, aerospace and transportation, integrated types will be suitable for your organization.
This time, have a look on these project management software solutions.
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PM Aura
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24Seven Office
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Apio
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Apptivo
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BlueKey
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DevPlanner
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Dreamteam
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Liquid Planner
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SAP
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Vorex
We at ITQlick.com ensure that our clients can arrive on the right Project Management solution whenever they ask us for it. Whether you’re a start-up, SMB, or an enterprise seeking for the right solution, we have the equivalent desktop, web-based, or integrated type of solution to recommend.
Pricing Considerations
So how much really is a project management solution? Although the cost varies from vendor-to-vendor, size-to-size of business, features-to-features, an ideal way of knowing the cost is by understanding first the software licensing scheme. Here’s what we have for you.
Collaboration License – free to $30
This is ideal for any internal or external team members to manage work and gain project visibility to stay on track and on target.
Work License $30 to $60
This is ideal for robust work management, advanced capabilities, and greater flexibility.
Plan License - $60 to $90
This is ideal for comprehensive project, program and portfolio management with complete visibility and control.
Enterprise License $90 to $300
This is ideal for organizations that require enterprise-grade security and support.
Remember that these are only estimated cost of licenses and there is a wide range of flexibility when it comes to pricing. For web-based solutions like SaaS, most vendors are offering monthly or yearly subscription-based scheme. For integrated solutions, there is a cost for the integration and implementation and it is always better to inquire this direct to the solution provider.
Market Trends
Waterfall, Agile, PRINCE2 and Chain methods are still popular to many Project Management Professionals (PMP). PMPs from the IT industry, which was reported to have more rapid growth than any other industries over the last ten years, are among of the top users of these methods.
About 80% of the enterprise software sector has been dominated by a few large firms in the past years. However, smaller firms will continue to enter and succeed in vertical and niche markets.
Many companies are expected to move into the cloud over the next five years. The demand for web-based collaboration tools, a feature of PM software, is also forecasted to increase. Visibly, there is a rapid growth and expansion on the web-based sector.
Overall, there is a clear indication that the project management software market will continue to expand. Global economic development, growth in ICT sector, and more advancement in computing technology will all require project managers that will heavily rely on reliable PM software products.
ITQlick chart - 2024 best Project Management Software
Finding the right Project Management software for your business
Proper Project Management software selections are the precursor to successful deployment and business growth. Finding the right Project Management solutions doesnít have to be complicated, and it doesnít have to take days or weeks of your time.
After researching over 5,000 systems, we can identify the best solution for companies of all shapes and sizes. ITQlick.com is 100% free for software buyers.